Relevant offers

Shot put star Tom Walsh has delivered the ultimate statement of intent in Glasgow by setting a Commonwealth Games record with his first and only heave in qualifying.

The amateur athlete who ordinarily worked as a builder in Canterbury walked into the circle and nonchalantly hurled a whopping 21.24m throw in his first attempt, sealing automatic qualification for tomorrow's final.

Walsh's throw was 22cm further than the previous Games record, set by Canadian Dylan Armstrong in winning gold at Delhi four years ago.

It was 2cm shy of his New Zealand record, 21.26m, set at the world indoor championships in Poland in March, but it did eclipse his previous best outdoor throw if 21.16m in Sydney this year.

Jamaican O'Dayne Richards was the only other thrower to reach the automatic 19.90m qualifying standard in the first round, with a throw of 20.24m.